2 pistols recovered in Khulna
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has recovered two abandoned pistols during an operation in Samantasena Panchar Bot Tola cluster village in Noihati Union under Rupsha Upazila of Khulna district. According to a RAB-6 press release issued on Wednesday, acting on a tip-off, a special operational team of the Crime Prevention Company (CPC) of RAB-6 from the Khulna camp conducted a drive in the area and recovered the weapons during a search of a deserted room late Tuesday night. RAB-6 official Major Nazmul Islam said no one could be arrested from the spot. An investigation is underway to identify the source and ownership of the weapons. He added that intelligence surveillance has been intensified in Rupsha and its adjoining areas, while anti-terrorism and anti-narcotics operations are continuing.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 28, 2026 17:09 UTC
Indian Parliament pays homage to Khaleda Zia
The Indian Parliament paid homage to former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia on the opening day of its 2026-27 Budget Session. After the president’s address to the joint sitting of both Houses, the Parliament observed obituary references to the passing of former Indian MPs L Ganesan, Suresh Kalmadi, and Khaleda Zia, reports Wionews. The tribute to Khaleda Zia comes amid a period of strained relations between India and Bangladesh, it said. Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, passed away at 80 after a prolonged illness. On the day of her passing, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, highlighting her contributions to Bangladesh’s development and India-Bangladesh relations.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 28, 2026 17:09 UTC
Jamaat female leader injured in machete attack during campaigning
A female leader of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami was injured in an alleged machete attack while conducting campaign activities in the Kadamtali area of the capital. The injured leader has been identified as Kazi Maria Islam Baby, a Rukon (member) of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and a women’s leader of the party. The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon in Ward No. According to Kazi Maria Islam Baby, she was working in Ward No. Regarding the incident, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kadamtali Police Station, Sheikh Ashrafuzzaman, said, “We have learned that a female Jamaat worker has been injured.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 28, 2026 17:09 UTC
Uttara people made history, now must protect democracy: Tarique Rahman
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today spoke at an election rally at the Azampur Eidgah ground in the capital's Uttara. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today said that the people of Uttara have made history; now the responsibility of protecting democracy is also theirs. Tarique Rahman made the remarks early today at an election rally at the Azampur Eidgah ground in the capital's Uttara. Addressing the gathered people who waited until deep into the night, Tarique Rahman outlined BNP's specific plans for the development of the Uttara area. Tarique Rahman further said that a long-standing demand of the middle- and lower-income people of Uttara is a government hospital.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 28, 2026 17:08 UTC
EC makes online accreditation mandatory for journalists, observers
Online registrationApplicants must register online by providing their National Identity Card (NID) number, email address, mobile number, and a password. Application processAfter registering, applicants can log in using their mobile number and password to apply for an accreditation card. Name, office address, email, phone number, and registration number. Vehicle stickerApplicants requiring a vehicle sticker must indicate “Yes” or “No.” If “Yes,” relevant vehicle registration documents must be uploaded. Issuance of accreditation cardUpon verification, the EC will issue a QR code–enabled accreditation card in PDF format.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 28, 2026 17:07 UTC
EC estimates Tk 3100 cr cost for Feb-12 election, referendum
The Election Commission (EC) has estimated the overall expenditures for the upcoming referendum and the 13th national parliamentary election at some Tk 3,100 crore. The Commission on Wednesday approved the budget, estimating the total cost of Tk 3,100 crore to conduct the referendum and general election simultaneously on February 12 next, said EC officials. Of the total cost, Tk 1,200 crore has been earmarked for election management and operational expenses, while Tk 1,400 crore has been allocated for deployment of law enforcement agencies. Another Tk 500 crore has been set aside for costs related to the referendum, postal ballots and other ancillary purposes. In 2024, the expenditure for the 12th national election stood at Tk 2,276 crore.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 28, 2026 17:07 UTC
Time calls Tarique Rahman 'clear front runner' in upcoming polls
The US-based Time magazine, in its latest issue published on Wednesday, called BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman the “clear frontrunner” in the upcoming February 12 elections as it carried an analysis ahead of the polls. but if you ask me to do something, I try my best,” Rahman told the magazine. The Time wrote to his supporters, Rahman was a “persecuted redeemer returning to save his beleaguered homeland” while he “insists he’s the right person to heal his riven nation”. Time wrote Rahman appeared “soft-spoken and introverted, preferring to listen rather than hold court” while his favorite pastime in London was strolling around leafy Richmond Park, “lost in his thoughts, or reading history books”. Rahman told the magazine he planned to install trash-burning power generators, repurpose technical colleges to upskill migrant workers, and partner with private hospitals to alleviate an overwhelmed state health care system.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 28, 2026 17:07 UTC
US ready to work with elected Bangladesh government: Christensen
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen today spoke to journalists after a courtesy meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission building in Agargaon. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen today said that the United States is ready to work with any government elected in accordance with the will of the Bangladeshi people, reiterating that Washington will not take sides in the country's upcoming national elections. The ambassador told journalists after a courtesy meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission building at Agargaon. "I am very optimistic about the upcoming elections," he said, adding that he looked forward to observing both the election process and its outcome. Abdul Fazlul M Sanaullah and Election Commission Secretary Akhter Ahmed were present at the meeting.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 28, 2026 16:43 UTC
Rubel remanded afresh in Hadi murder case
DHAKA, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - A court here today placed Rubel Ahammed, a close associate of alleged shooter Foysal Karim Masud, on a three-day fresh remand in a case filed over the murder of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The court placed Rubel on a six-day remand on January 22 in the case. According to the case statement, Foysal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain opened fire on Hadi while he was travelling in a battery-run rickshaw on December 12 and fled the scene. Inqilab Mancha Member Secretary Abdullah Al Zaber filed the case with Paltan Model Police Station on December 14 as an attempted murder. The Detective Branch (DB) submitted a charge sheet on January 6 against 17 accused, including alleged shooter Foysal Karim Masud and his parents Humayun Kabir and Hashi Begum.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 28, 2026 16:38 UTC
‘Party support, not lineage, drew me back to Bangladesh’, Tarique tells Time Magazine
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has said he is the right person to heal Bangladesh’s divisions, insisting his return is driven by party supporters rather than family lineage. “My party supporters are the reason why I’m here today.”Tarique arrived in Dhaka on Dec 25, greeted by hundreds of thousands of supporters. Tarique denies his past corruption allegations, saying: “They have failed to prove anything.”His prior convictions were quashed by the interim government. “If I can implement just 30 percent of what I have planned, I’m sure the people of Bangladesh will support me,” he told Time. More recently, the Donald Trump Administration imposed “reciprocal” tariffs of 20 percent on Bangladesh, which has hit its export-reliant economy.
Source:bd News24
January 28, 2026 16:13 UTC
Jamaat Ameer announces plans for transport, daycare support for working mothers
Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has announced plans to introduce a comprehensive public transport system for mothers, along with daycare and baby care centers, to support working women. Reflecting on the profound importance of mothers, Dr. Rahman expressed gratitude for their sacrifices, saying, "We owe everything to our mothers, who carry us for nine months in their wombs. The Jamaat Ameer also touched on the importance of empowering the youth, particularly young women. He pledged to provide quality education and vocational training to help young women become self-reliant and achieve their career goals. Addressing recent attacks on female party members, Dr. Rahman condemned the violence and called on those responsible to repent and seek forgiveness.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 28, 2026 16:13 UTC
Centralized recruitment for 13,599 admin posts in non-government institutions
The Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education has granted administrative approval to recommend appointments for 13,599 vacant posts, including heads of institutions and assistant heads. He explained that the government, through the NTRCA, will now conduct selection tests and recommend candidates for these 13,500 administrative posts. Previously, the authority to recruit for these administrative posts rested with the respective institution's Managing Committee or Governing Body, a system that faced long-standing allegations of irregularities at the local level. According to data from three directorates under the Education Ministry, the recruitment drive covers 13,599 vacancies. According to the ministry circular, the NTRCA will conduct a separate examination for these administrative posts carrying a total of 100 marks.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 28, 2026 15:59 UTC
Home adviser: Election preparations much better than before
Responding to journalists, he said: “Among those involved in the election, there is no such thing as a ‘stooge’ of the Awami League. Only capable and honest individuals will conduct the election.”He made the remarks after a meeting in Sylhet on law-and-order arrangements for the national parliamentary election and referendum. He added that preparations are thorough and better than in any previous election. He also said: “Election preparations in Sylhet have exceeded expectations. The administration here has done even better than we had hoped.”The meeting was attended by Divisional Commissioner Khan Md Reza-un-Nabi, Sylhet Deputy Commissioner, police superintendents of the four districts in the division, and officials from various government departments.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 28, 2026 15:40 UTC
Fakhrul hopes for fair election in Thakurgaon-1
BNP candidate for Thakurgaon-1 and party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday expressed hope for a fair election after 15 years of alleged vote manipulation. This time, we hope there will be a fair election. Fakhrul urged voters to support him, promising development initiatives and restoration of peace. If you elect me in the upcoming election, I will work for the development of the district,” he said. Fakhrul pledged to punish wrongdoers, provide low-cost medicines, build new hospitals, strengthen the police, and establish industries in the district.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 28, 2026 15:40 UTC
BNP accuses Jamaat of ‘fascist propaganda’ ahead of election
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Wednesday accused Jamaat-e-Islami of spreading “fascist propaganda,” political double standards, and misleading narratives to influence voters in the upcoming election. Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka, BNP Election Steering Committee spokesperson and adviser to the party chairperson, Mahdi Amin, said Jamaat is branding BNP as a “world champion of corruption” to mislead the public—claims he described as detached from reality and politically motivated. He also noted that Jamaat, which held ministerial posts and parliamentary seats between 2001 and 2006, had raised no objections about corruption during that period. “Now, in the election field, they are continuing the same old fascist propaganda, which is nothing but blatant political hypocrisy,” Mahdi said. Mahdi also accused Jamaat of exploiting religious sentiments to win votes, citing promises of heaven, oaths on the Holy Quran, and financial inducements.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 28, 2026 15:40 UTC